Enhancement Request: LOOKUP argument for default value

J. Craig Williams

I would like to request an additional argument (optional) for the LOOKUP function for a return value when no match is found. The MATCH() function could use this as well.

I know having two optional arguments may be a pain. Throwing an error would also provide functionality, but I don't want to suggest using an error message as a feature.

At the simplest, just allowing me to use "No Match Found" as the default value would sometimes save time troubleshooting other formulas that reference the LOOKUP's return value.

In many cases, I know what the result should be in there is not a match.

Also, the  text of the LOOKUP help article has a mismatch in terms.

See attached.

This request has also be posted to the WebForm

Craig

 

 

 

 

Shaine Greenwood

Hi Craig, I'm sure you know this already, and it is duplication of your formula, but you can do this with a formula structure like the following:

=IF(ISBLANK(MATCH()), "No Match Found", MATCH())

This will return "No Match Found" if the MATCH function returns a blank result. Otherwise, it runs the MATCH function.

J. Craig Williams

Shaine,

Thanks for pointing that out.

There was a discussion somewhere about being able to save a value like the return of the MATCH function so we would not have to use it over and over again, for example in a nested IF statement.

I'm trying to avoid MATCH and INDEX except where I can't get LOOKUP to do what I want it to. 

I'm not hopeful that we'll get this, but I had to ask.

Craig

Shaine Greenwood

Doesn't hurt to ask.